Things we can't hide

(Fiona’s POV)

My mother stood at the door wearing a soft beige gown—the same one Dad bought her on their twenty-third anniversary. Her eyes softened with something close to sorrow as she looked at me, then shifted toward Jalen. She leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. I wasn’t surprised. She had always been that way.

“Pleasure to see you again, Jalen,” she greeted warmly.

He returned a polite smile.

My father stepped in behind her, his tie slightly loose, his expression calm and warm—nothing like the storm brewing inside my chest.

“Fiona?” my mother breathed, finally giving me her attention. “Sweetheart—what are you doing here?” She walked to the couch in the corner of Jalen’s office.

My mind scrambled for an answer. The question spun endlessly in my head. What was I doing here? In Jalen’s office? Alone with him?

My brain froze. I had no answer.

Jalen stole a quick glance my way, probably sensing I was in shock.

I stepped away from the desk slowly, trying to force my face into something neutral.

“I—I didn’t know you were coming,” I stammered.

“We came to see how you were doing,” my father said with a gentle smile, settling beside my mother. “We haven’t had a proper talk since you left the house.”

“Oh,” I whispered.

I nodded, afraid my voice would crack if I tried to say anything else. My body curled with old memories—how life had been with them, how fear lurked in every corner. Jalen kept glancing at me, giving me both strength and confusion.

My father turned to Jalen, his face brightening. “And of course, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see my old friend. It’s been a long time, Jalen.”

Jalen managed a small smile. “Yes, it has been a long time.”

His voice was steady, but his shoulders were stiff. He kept his hands tucked into his pockets—I could tell they were trembling. When he finally sank into his chair, he looked like he was trying to stay composed, and I couldn’t help noticing how adorable he looked doing it.

Marian’s eyes drifted between the two of us, her gaze sharp and searching. Then a smirk tugged at her lips.

“Fiona,” she said sweetly, her tone laced with poison, “I suppose you come to Jalen’s office often. Alone. Are you having any difficulties with his course?”

She had every right to ask—being one of the academic directors and the vice president of the school—but her intentions were far from innocent.

My stomach twisted.

She knew exactly what she was doing.

“Yes,” I said quietly. “Sometimes.”

“For what? Having issues?” she pressed, folding her arms. “You’ve been very… close to him lately, haven’t you?”

My mother’s head jerked toward me, and my father lifted a curious brow.

I felt Jalen shift. He was losing comfort—just as I was. He glared at Marian, clearly sensing the danger building. His eyes held worry and fear—a silent plea for her to stop.

But Marian didn’t look like she planned to.

“I mean,” she continued with a falsely innocent smile, “you showed up in his private lounge yesterday at the ball. Drunk. Falling over everything. If Jude hadn’t taken you away, who knows how the night would have ended.”

Jalen stiffened.

I froze.

“M-Marian…” I choked out.

Before I could finish, Jalen sat upright.

“She was lost,” he said firmly, anger building beneath his tone. “I found her wandering and helped her get to safety.” His eyes narrowed at Marian. “I’m sure my friend has no problem knowing his daughter was in safe hands.”

“Is that so?” Marian glared.

My heart thudded painfully. I wanted him to look at me, not her. My blood boiled. I almost reached for the vase beside me, but forced myself to breathe.

My father nodded thoughtfully. “Well, I trust your judgment, Jalen.”

Relief washed through me like cold water. But questions stormed inside my head. Why were they here? Had Marian told them something? They never came looking for me—unless I had done something worth punishing.

Marian’s shoulders tensed at my father’s response. She looked irritated, but not defeated.

“She’s also been coming in more often after classes—and last I checked, you hardly allow students into your office,” she added sharply.

I swallowed hard as my throat dried. I felt my mother’s gaze burning into me. I thought the interrogation was over, but Marian kept going.

Jalen stepped in before I could speak.

“She came to ask about her academic probation review,” he said, voice sharp. “It’s my job to supervise her progress. She was anxious, that’s all.”

My heart clenched. He was shielding me—again—absorbing every blow Marian tried to land. It made me fall even more in love with him. We exchanged a quick, knowing glance—the kind that said: I’m here for you.

He was trying to stay calm while I trembled.

Marian’s eyes narrowed, her nostrils flaring. She swallowed her irritation. She’d lost this round—but she wasn’t done.

“Well,” my mother finally said, clearing her throat and breaking the tension, “we’re glad you’re doing fine. And being under Jalen’s care—that’s a relief.” She smiled at him. “In fact, we’re here to inform you that we’ll be going on a long business trip, and Fiona will be staying with you until we return.”

Marian choked, and my mother rushed to her side as though she were royalty.

I rolled my eyes. She always acted this way—but I understood. They were quite the pair.

My shoulders tensed at my parents’ announcement. A part of me was thrilled to be near Jalen every day… but the thought of living under the same roof as Marian made me shiver.

“I hope it’s not a bother, friend?” my father asked gently. “We know it’s sudden.”

Before Jalen could speak, a soft knock interrupted us. Jude stepped inside.

Of all people. Of all moments.

Irritation crawled over my skin. Jalen’s face turned cold as he glanced at me.

Jude flashed a bright smile at my parents. “Good morning, sir. Ma’am.”

My mother gave him a lazy smile, then looked away.

He turned to me, eyes dripping with that familiar, annoying look I despised.

“Fiona,” he said, “we’re gathering for the class sports selection. You need to be there.”

Relief burst through my chest. I wanted to escape Jalen’s office—my parents—Marian. All of it.

“Okay,” I whispered.

Jude stepped aside, giving me a thin, knowing look before leaving. I didn’t care. I only wanted to breathe.

I rushed out of the office. Jude was already waiting outside. I walked past him quickly, heading toward the sports field. If I looked at him too long, I feared I might spit on him.

He caught up and grabbed my arm.

“Don’t you dare touch me,” I snapped, my face twisted in anger.

“I’m sorry, Fiona,” he said. “About the party. I know I hurt you, but I didn’t mean to. I was drunk. You know I have feelings for you. I was going to ask you to be my girlfriend, but you weren’t listening—”

I cut him off.

“And you thought the best thing to do was blackmail me? With my picture? You’re really dumb if you thought I would be scared of that.”

“I deleted the pictures. I realized it was a stupid idea,” he said quickly.

“Great. Can I go now? My legs hurt.”

I walked off, but his voice followed.

“Do you love him?”

My heart lurched.

“What are you talking about?”

“You know… Professor Jalen. Do you love him?”

“You’re insane,” I muttered. My chest ached. I couldn’t even defend him.

“I see the way he looks at you. The way you run to him every chance you get. I’m not stupid, Fiona.”

I stared at him for a few seconds, then walked away without a word.

After nearly an hour of tolerating Jude, my parents finally sent for me. I met them at the car park, where they were chatting with Marian.

“We’ll be staying in town a little longer,” Dad said. “But the business trip is long.”

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“Singapore and London,” my mother replied. “Two months. Maybe more.”

My heart dropped.

“We don’t want you alone during the holiday,” my father continued. “So we hope you behave yourself in Jalen’s house.”

I swallowed down the heaviness in my chest and nodded.

“S-sure. I’ll do my best.”

As soon as they left, my knees weakened. I turned to head back to the sports field when someone grabbed my arm.

Marian.

Her voice dropped low. “I’m not supposed to say this, but if you love yourself, stop whatever is going on between you and Jalen. Or I’ll make your life even more miserable than it already is.”

I inhaled shakily, my heart pounding.

“Did I make myself clear?” she snapped.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, ma’am Marian,” I whispered.

Her expression softened—mockingly—and she smirked.

“Soon, darling. Soon you’ll know.” She patted my shoulder and walked away.

Heat flushed through me. I pressed my palms to my face, my heart throbbing with fear… and longing. The thought of waking up in Jalen’s house—seeing him in the morning—sent a deep blush up my neck.

I stood in the car park, still as time itself. Lost. Confused. Wondering.

Then my eyes drifted, and I saw him from a distance.

And my heart knew exactly where it wanted to be.